rough logs covered entirely12 with earth, and in Jim's absence the girl had the key. In the council, held at eleven o'clock in the evening in Jim's dining-room, she backed up Waris's advice for immediate13 and vigorous action. I am told that she stood up by the side of Jim's empty chair at the head of the long table and made a warlike impassioned speech, which for the moment extorted14 murmurs15 of approbation16 from the assembled headmen. Old Doramin, who had not showed himself outside his own gate for more than a year, had been brought across with great difficulty. He was, of course, the chief man there. The temper of the council was very unforgiving, and the old man's word would have been decisive; but it is my opinion that, well aware of his son's fiery17 courage, he dared not pronounce the word. More dilatory18 counsels prevailed. A certain Haji Saman pointed19 out at great length that "these tyrannical and ferocious20 men had delivered themselves to a certain death in any case. They would stand fast on their hill and starve, or they would try to regain21 their boat and be shot from ambushes22 across the creek23, or they would break and fly into the forest and perish singly there." He argued that by the use of proper stratagems24 these evil-minded strangers could be destroyed without the risk of a battle, and his words had a great weight, especially with the Patusan men proper. What unsettled the minds of the townfolk was the failure of the Rajah's boats to act at the decisive moment. It was the diplomatic Kassim who represented the Rajah at the council. He spoke25 very little, listened smilingly, very friendly and impenetrable. During the sitting messengers kept arriving every few minutes almost, with reports of the invaders26' proceedings27. Wild and exaggerated rumours28 were flying: there was a large ship at the mouth of the river with big guns and many more men -- some white, others with black skins and of bloodthirsty appearance. They were coming with many more boats to exterminate29 every living thing. A sense of near, incomprehensible
danger affected30 the common people. At one moment there was a panic in the courtyard amongst the women; shrieking31; a rush; children crying -- Haji Sunan went out to quiet them. Then a fort sentry32 fired at something moving on the river, and nearly killed a villager bringing in his women-folk in a canoe together with the best of his domestic utensils33 and a dozen fowls34. This caused more confusion. Meantime the palaver35 inside Jim's house went on in the presence of the girl. Doramin sat fierce-faced, heavy, looking at the speakers in turn, and breathing slow like a bull. He didn't speak till the last, after Kassim had declared that the Rajah's boats would be called in because the men were required to defend his master's stockade. Dain Waris in his father's presence would offer no opinion, though the girl entreated36 him in Jim's name to speak out. She offered him Jim's own men in her anxiety to have these intruders driven out at once. He only shook his head, after a glance or two at Doramin. Finally, when the council broke up it had been decided37 that the houses nearest the creek should be strongly occupied to obtain the commund of the enemy's boat. The boat itself was not to be interfered38 with openly, so that the robbers on the hill should be tempted39 to embark40, when a well-directed fire would kill most of them, no doubt. To cut off the escape of those who might survive, and to prevent more of them coming up, Dain Waris was ordered by Doramin to take an armed party of Bugis down the river to a certain spot ten miles below Patusan, und there form a camp on the shore and blockade the stream with the canoes. I don't believe for a moment that Doramin feared the arrival of fresh forces. My opinion is that his conduct was guided solely41 by his wish to keep his son out of harm's way. To prevent a rush being made into the town the construction of a stockade was to be commenced at dayligh t at the end of the street on the left bank. The old nakhoda declared his intention to command there himself. A distribution of powder, bullets,
und percussion-caps was made immediately under the girl's supervision42. Several messengers were to be dispatched in different directions after Jim, whose exact whereabouts were unknown. These men started at dawn, but before that time Kassim had managed to open communications with the besieged43 Brown.
'That accomplished44 diplomatist and confidant of the Rajah, on leaving the fort to go back to his master, took into his boat Cornelius, whom he found slinking mutely amongst the people in the courtyard. Kassim had a little plan of his own and wanted him for an interpreter. Thus it came about that towards morning Brown, reflecting upon the desperate nature of his position, heard from the marshy45 overgrown hollow an amicable46, quavering, strained voice crying -- in English -- for permission to come up, under a promise of personal safety and on a very important errand. He was overjoyed. If he was spoken to he was no longer a hunted wild beast. These friendly sounds took off at once the awful stress of vigilant47 watchfulness48 as of so many blind men not knowing whence the deathblow might come. He pretended a great reluctance49. The voice declared itself "a white man -- a poor, ruined, old man who had been living here for years." A mist, wet and chilly50, lay on the slopes of the hill, and after some more shouting from one to the other, Brown called out, "Come on, then, but alone, mind!" As a matter of fact -- he told me, writhing51 with rage at the recollection of his helplessness -- it made no difference. They couldn't see more than a few yards before them, and no ueachery could make their position worse. By-and-by Cornelius, in his week-day attire52 of a ragged53 dirty shirt and pants, barefooted, with a broken-rimmed pith hat on his head, was made out vaguely54, sidling up to the defences, hesitating, stopping to listen in a peering posture55. "Come along! You are safe," yelled Brown, while his men stared. All their hopes of life became suddenly centred in that dilapidated, mean newcomer, who in profound silence clambered clumsily over a felled tree-trunk, and shivering, with his sour, mistrustful face, looked about at the knot of bearded, anxious, sleepless56 desperadoes.
'Half an hour's confidential57 talk with Cornelius opened Brown's eyes as to the home affairs of Patusan. He was on the alert at once. There were possibilities, immense possibilities; but before he would talk over Cornelius's proposals he demanded that some food should be sent up as a guarantee of good faith. Cornelius went off, creeping sluggishly58 down the hill on the side of the Rajah's palace, and after some delay a few of Tunku Allang's men came up, bringing a scanty59 supply of rice, chillies, and dried fish. This was immeasurably better than nothing. Later on Cornelius returned accompanying Kassim, who stepped out with an air of perfect good-humoured trustfulness, in sandals, and muffled60 up from neck to ankles in dark-blue sheeting. He shook hands with Brown discreetly61, and the three drew aside for a conference. Brown's men, recovering their confidence, were slapping each other on the back, and cast knowing glances at their captain while they busied themselves with preparations for cooking.
'Kassim disliked Doramin and his Bugis very much, but he hated the new order of things still more. It had occurred to him that these whites, together with the Rajah's followers62, could attack and defeat the Bugis before Jim's return. Then, he reasoned, general defection of the townfolk was sure to follow, and the reign63 of the white man who protected poor people would be over. Afterwards the new allies could be dealt with. They would have no friends. The fellow was perfectly64 able to perceive the difference of character, and had seen enough of white men to know that these newcomers were outcasts, men without country. Brown preserved a stern and inscrutable demeanour. When he first heard Cornelius's voice demanding admittance, it brought merely the hope of a loophole for escape. In less than an hour other thoughts were seething65 in his head. Urged by an extreme necessity, he had come there to steal food, a few tons of rubber or gum may be, perhaps a handful of dollars, and had found himself enmeshed by deadly dangers. Now in consequence of these overtures66 from Kassim he began to think of stealing the whole country. Some confounded fellow had apparently67 accomplished something of the kind -- single-handed at that. Couldn't have done it very well though. Perhaps they could work together -squeeze everything dry and then go out quietly. In the course of his negotiations69 with Kassim he became aware that he was supposed to have a big ship with plenty of men outside. Kassim begged him earnestly to have this big ship with his many guns and men brought up the river without delay for the Rajah's service. Brown professed70 himself willing, and on this basis the negotiation68 was carried on with mutual71 distrust. Three times in the course of the morning the courteous72 and active Kassim went down to consult the Rajah and came up busily with his long stride. Brown, while bargaining, had a sort of grim enjoyment73 in thinking of his wretched schooner74, with nothing but a heap of dirt in her hold, that stood for an armed ship, and a Chinam
an and a lame75 ex-beachcomber of Levuka on board, who represented all his many men. In the afternoon he obtained further doles76 of food, a promise of some money, and a supply of mats for his men to make shelters for themselves. They lay down and snored, protected from the burning sunshine; but Brown, sitting fully77 exposed on one of the felled trees, feasted his eyes upon the view of the town and the river. There was much loot there. Cornelius, who had made himself at home in the camp, talked at his elbow, pointing out the localities, imparting advice, giving his own version of Jim's character, and commenting in his own fashion upon the events of the last three years. Brown, who, apparently indifferent and gazing away, listened with attention to every word, could not make out clearly what sort of man this Jim could be. "What's his name? Jim! Jim! That's not enough for a man's name." "They call him," said Cornelius scornfully, "Tuan Jim here. As you may say Lord Jim." "What is he? Where does he come from?" inquired Brown. "What sort of man is he? Is he an Englishman?" "Yes, yes, he's an Englishman. I am an Englishman too. From Malacca. He is a fool. All you have to do is to kill him and then you are king here. Everything belongs to him," explained Cornelius. "It strikes me he may be made to share with somebody before very long," commented Brown half aloud. "No, no. The proper way is to kill him the first chance you get, and then you can do what you like," Cornelius would insist earnestly. "I have lived for many years here, and I am giving you a friend's advice."
'In such converse78 and in gloating over the view of Patusan, which he had determined79 in his mind should become his prey80, Brown whiled away most of the afternoon, his men, meantime, resting. On that day Dain Waris's fleet of canoes stole one by one under the shore farthest from the creek, and went down to close the river against his retreat. Of this Brown was not aware, and Kassim, who came up the knoll81 an hour before sunset, took good care not to enlighten him. He wanted the white man's ship to come up the river, and this news, he feared, would be discouraging. He was very pressing with Brown to send the "order," offering at the same time a trusty messenger, who for greater secrecy82 (as he explained) would make his way by land to the mouth of the river and deliver the "order" on board. After some reflection Brown judged it expedient83 to tear a page out of his pocket-book, on which he simply wrote, "We are getting on. Big job. Detain the man." The stolid84 youth selected by Kassim for that service performed it faithfully, and was rewarded by being suddenly tipped, head first, into the schooner's empty hold by the ex-beachcomber and the Chinaman, who thereupon hastened to put on the hatches. What became of him afterwards Brown did not say.'
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1
repulse
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| n.击退，拒绝；vt.逐退，击退，拒绝 | |
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invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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tangible
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| adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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8
disastrous
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| adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的 | |
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martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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14
extorted
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| v.敲诈( extort的过去式和过去分词 )；曲解 | |
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murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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16
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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18
dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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19
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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ambushes
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| n.埋伏( ambush的名词复数 )；伏击；埋伏着的人；设埋伏点v.埋伏( ambush的第三人称单数 )；埋伏着 | |
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23
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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stratagems
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| n.诡计，计谋( stratagem的名词复数 )；花招 | |
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25
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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26
invaders
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| 入侵者，侵略者，侵入物( invader的名词复数 ) | |
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27
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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29
exterminate
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| v.扑灭，消灭，根绝 | |
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30
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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31
shrieking
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| v.尖叫( shriek的现在分词 ) | |
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32
sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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fowls
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| 鸟( fowl的名词复数 )； 禽肉； 既不是这； 非驴非马 | |
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35
palaver
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| adj.壮丽堂皇的；n.废话，空话 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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38
interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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39
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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40
embark
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| vi.乘船，着手，从事，上飞机 | |
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41
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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42
supervision
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| n.监督，管理 | |
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43
besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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45
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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46
amicable
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| adj.和平的，友好的；友善的 | |
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47
vigilant
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| adj.警觉的，警戒的，警惕的 | |
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48
watchfulness
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| 警惕，留心； 警觉（性） | |
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49
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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50
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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51
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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52
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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53
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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54
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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55
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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56
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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57
confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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58
sluggishly
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| adv.懒惰地；缓慢地 | |
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59
scanty
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| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
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60
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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61
discreetly
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| ad.(言行)审慎地，慎重地 | |
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62
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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63
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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64
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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65
seething
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| 沸腾的，火热的 | |
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66
overtures
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| n.主动的表示，提议；（向某人做出的）友好表示、姿态或提议( overture的名词复数 )；（歌剧、芭蕾舞、音乐剧等的）序曲，前奏曲 | |
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67
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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68
negotiation
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| n.谈判，协商 | |
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69
negotiations
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| 协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过 | |
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70
professed
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| 公开声称的，伪称的，已立誓信教的 | |
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71
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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72
courteous
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| adj.彬彬有礼的，客气的 | |
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73
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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74
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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75
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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76
doles
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| 救济物( dole的名词复数 )； 失业救济金 | |
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77
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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79
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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80
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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81
knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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82
secrecy
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| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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83
expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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84
stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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